The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award. Families selected for this year’s honor will be recognized during a ceremony at the 2026 Iowa State Fair as part of Iowa’s America250 celebration, commemorating American independence and highlighting agriculture’s enduring role in our nation’s strength and prosperity.

The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award recognizes farm families who demonstrate outstanding voluntary efforts to improve and protect Iowa’s soil and water resources while also serving as leaders in their community. Each year, farm families from across the state are honored for leadership in implementing conservation practices such as cover crops, no-till and reduced tillage, nutrient management, grassed waterways, wetlands, saturated buffers, bioreactors and many other innovative water quality practices that filter the water and hold soil in place.

“Iowa farm families are dedicated to protecting our agricultural land through nation-leading conservation practices, and I am honored to recognize their efforts each year at the Iowa State Fair,” said Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Our farmers not only feed and fuel the world, but they do so while maintaining the health of our valuable cropland and waterways for generations to come. The Farm Environmental Leader Awards are a time to acknowledge their year-round commitment, and I look forward to meeting all of our honorees at this year’s ceremony.”

“As we celebrate America250 and the farmers’ role in sustaining our nation, we are proud to recognize farm families who are carrying forward a legacy that has made our state a leader in both agricultural production and conservation for generations,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “I encourage Iowans to nominate farmers in their communities who are helping us accelerate the adoption of proven conservation practices that filter water, strengthen soil health, and protect our natural resources. Clean water is non-negotiable, and protecting our natural resources requires a system-wide approach that delivers solutions from field to faucet. Let’s honor the farmers and farm families who are doing their part as leaders in environmental stewardship.”

Award recipients will be recognized during a ceremony on Aug. 19 at the Iowa State Fair. Families recognized this year will receive a special America250 seal on their certificate and have their photos taken in front of an America250 backdrop.

Nominations may be submitted by farmers, landowners, conservation professionals, commodity groups, or members of the public. The nomination form can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website. An appointed committee representing conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners.

The deadline to nominate a farmer or farm family is Monday, May 4.